It is with a somewhat heavy heart that I am putting my beloved Antelope Zodiac Gold DAC, and its matching external Voltikus power supply up for sale.
As many of you know I reviewed this DAC and love it. It does a lot of state-of-the-art things including:
* all sample rates from 16/44 up to and including 24/384k (this includes DXD or 24/352k as well).
* USB Class 2 Audio drivers that are plug-n-play in the Mac and Linux world, allowing this DAC to driverlessly integrate with all the new Linux music servers (Auraliti, Vortexbox, etc) up to 24/192, as well as 24/384k in the OSX world of Mac Minis, and all recent Windows OS's.
* an incredible remote-volume stepped relay attenuator that rivals hi-end preamps for tone, texture, clarity and overall drive. This aspect alone, the first I'd ever found in a stand-alone DAC (first capable one , that is, out of over a dozen that claim it) that allowed me to replace my hi-end stereo preamp collection (including a $20k list Concert Fidelity CF-080LSX). The ability to go direct-to-amp, yet lose no musicality, is huge. Also, keep in mind that the DAC includes two sets of analog inputs to further serve as a preamp control center.
* a great side benefit is that the headphone out (adjustable impedance via the menu) is a dedicated path and sounds great.
The ONLY reason I am selling this wonderful combo (the Voltikus takes the Gold to state-of-the-art levels of bass control, noise floor and resolution) is because I have become overwhelmed with my DSD projects, including ripping SACDs and playing native DSD, and don't play it often enough anymore to be commensurate with its value. (This DAC is not DSD-capable, which is not an issue for 90%+ of the audiophiles out there.)
As you can see from the pictures, the DAC has a plethora of digital inputs (including 24/384k USB, two S/PDIFs, AES/EBU, and 2 toslinks) as well as two sets of analog inputs, RCA and 1/4" TRS (so it is officially an analog preamp as well). A wordclock input rounds out the inputs on this packed DAC. There are also de-jittered S/PDIF and AES digital outputs. The analog outs are both RCA and balanced (XLR outs have adjustable gain on back panel). A remote controls volume and input selection.
This DAC has received numerous reviews and awards, and will be the cornerstone of a great stereo system.
I will ship to US and Canada. Buyer pays shipping and paypal fees. I am firm with $3,000, a quite fair price given that the pieces list for almost $4500 and have the ted_b break-in service (I, along with many folks, have reported that this DAC does not blossom until about 600-800 hours).
I will also include a Wireworld Ultraviolet USB cable. I have all the original boxes and manuals. I am the original owner as this was bought directly from late great Lee Weiland, the best Antelope dealer in the country!!
Thanks in advance.....
Ted
